BITS Pilani’s technology business incubator, Pilani Innovation and Entrepreneurship Development Society (PIEDS), has initiated the first edition of its startup program named "Womenpreneur for Bharat 1.0." This collaborative initiative, done in association with the Women Entrepreneurship Platform (WEP) under NITI Aayog and backed by the Aditya Birla Capital Foundation, is designed to support women-led startups. The collaboration, unveiled during the state workshop titled ‘Facilitating Women-Led Development through Entrepreneurship’ in Arunachal Pradesh, demonstrated a commitment to nurturing entrepreneurship among women. The event provided a platform for stakeholders across various sectors to devise strategies for promoting development led by women through entrepreneurship.

The aim of 'Womenpreneurs for Bharat 1.0' is to offer financial aid and incubation backing to women entrepreneurs operating within or catering to tier-2/3/4 cities in specific regions like the Northeast, Rajasthan, Haryana, and Jammu and Kashmir. This initiative targets both for-profit and non-profit startups aligned with UN Sustainable Development Goals, focusing on challenges unique to these areas. Vishakha Mulye, Director of Aditya Birla Capital Foundation & CEO of Aditya Birla Capital Limited, stressed, “We are dedicated to fostering a fair, inclusive, and sustained social and economic advancement for the nation. Through ‘Womenpreneurs for Bharat 1.0’, our goal is to create a platform nurturing the growth of women entrepreneurs in the country, capable of making a significant impact on numerous underserved Indians through innovative solutions.”

Anna Roy, Mission Director at WEP, highlighted the project's strategic approach, explaining, “The initiative embodies a strategic approach to bolster women's entrepreneurship in the tech4good sector, which holds considerable market and impact potential. It aligns with national objectives of gender equality, women-driven development, and digital inclusion. Women entrepreneurs driving innovations in crucial development sectors with a technology-driven approach can yield substantial benefits for both business and society.” The initiative plans to provide funding of up to Rs 10 lakhs for eligible startups, along with comprehensive incubation support from PIEDS, including mentorship, assistance in accessing markets, and future investment opportunities.